Australia has provided a litany of incredible sporting memories. How many times have we sat in front of the TV, witnessed something spectacular, and said, “Gee I wish I was there!”
In my list, there are some moments where I was incredibly fortunate to be there, so it’s a hybridised personal list and an enthusiast list.
You’ll notice the list is of recent activities, which reflects both my age and desire to keep my list to events that I experienced in some capacity.
10. The 434/438 game – Australia vs South Africa
Australia lost this cricket match. Don’t know how, but they did.
You tend not to quickly recall the times you witnessed a loss, but any cricket fan knows that they watched something special that day. Watching a pulsating Bullring celebrate that win has made me want to go tour South Africa ever since.
The best game of one-day cricket I’ve seen on TV – even if it meant staying up until 3am. How often does Ricky Ponting score 160 off 100 and yet is upstaged?
A scorecard that hasn’t come close to being matched, even though the game has become more batting friendly. A complete one-off.
9. Jeff Horn beats Manny Pacquiao
This just isn’t meant to happen. David beats Goliath (well, a condensed, pocket-sized, but no-less destructive Goliath) at home in front of thousands of live fans and millions on pay-per-view.
We didn’t just watch a man win a boxing match, we saw a man who lived the dream of millions: an unsung-hero school teacher transformed into a superhero.
The fact the American commentators were appalled by the decision just makes it even better. Not the biggest fan of boxing, but I absolutely respect that moment.
AAP Image/Dan Peled
8. Adam Scott wins the Masters
The Masters crowd (and the sound engineers for the TV broadcast) know how to produce an amazing roar at a golf course. Can you ever remember a roar so loud for a non-American at Augusta?
Adam Scott finally got the monkey off the back of every professional Australian golfer (and amateur hack like me) by winning the Masters.
And Scott fulfilled the brief of a first-time Australian winner – by doing it the hard way.
No, we don’t win things easily, we Australians. We need drama, we need tension, we need to make it harder than it needs to be. And that’s why we remember it better, and why we wish we were there!
7. Cadel Evans enters Paris in the yellow jersey
Cycling is one of the great made-for-TV sports, so it’s difficult to wish you were ‘there’ when ‘there’ is pretty broad in this context.
But this was one of the most spectacular individual feats by an Australian.
Yes, cycling is a team sport, but it’s a team sport of individual performances and Evans rode like a man possessed for three weeks in a team that was not the strongest.
I wrote recently of his single-handed chase of Andy Schleck up the Col du Galibier to stay in the race. It was remarkable.
He kept a nation up for weeks.
6. Steve Waugh’s perfect day
The SCG wasn’t even full that day, but like Cathy Freeman’s night, I swear the ground held about 250,000 judging by the amount of people who insist they were there for this one.
I saw the innings on the TV. It was something you could only make for TV to be honest. A man badly out of form, people certain this was to be his last series, stuck on 28 centuries and one behind Don Bradman, inching his way to 10,000 runs.
Starts his innings just before tea, chalks up a 50, passes 10k runs, looks in top nick. These are the type of innings you don’t want interrupted by stumps.
On 98 at the last ball of the day, he dispatches Richard Dawson through the covers. Cue a huge cheer.
With the passage of time, I don’t think that fondly of Waugh’s career now, but as a kid he was my hero.
AP Photo/Rick Rycroft
5. Western Bulldogs beat GWS
This is for the purists, so please indulge me. I’m not a fan of either team (although, like everyone, I have a soft spot for the Doggies), but I take my cap off to these two teams, who played the greatest, most intense match of AFL I’ve seen.
I watched this one in a bar in Hong Kong among Australian expats and others who were just chewing away a lazy late Saturday afternoon. By the fourth quarter, everyone (including those with zip knowledge of the game) knew that this was a gem.
Two teams that kept changing the lead with everything on the line, no team giving an inch of ground in front of a surreal, pro-Bulldogs crowd at an away game.
It was a sell-out but small crowd, yet the atmosphere was like a full MCG with a make-believe roof.
A grandstand match, with a grandstand ending.
4. The Sharks turn off the porch light
I’ve been to eight NRL grand finals and went to this one as a decidedly neutral fan. Thank the big man I was – I’ve never seen an atmosphere like that. I’ve also never seen such an overtly one-sided crowd, as this was a 90 per cent Sharks crowd, both the faithful and the bandwagon support.
The crowd was absolutely a factor in getting Cronulla over the line. That incredible roar when the final tackle was made, followed by countless repeats of “Up, up Cronulla”, none of which were sung with any less gusto.
I’ve never heard a crowd like that at a rugby league game. What made it better was that it was a cracking game of hard, intense footy.
AAP Image/Craig Golding
3. Tony Lockett kicks his 1300th goal
If we are lucky and time it right (and his body holds up), then people might just have a chance to witness what will absolutely be the last time this happens: an AFL player – in this case Buddy Franklin – kicking 1000 goals and unleashing a pitch invasion.
If you happened to be born in the 1960s, ’70s or ’80s, a pitch invasion was more a birthright for than a treat.
Peter Hudson, Jason Dunstall, Tony Lockett, Gary Ablett, Tony Modra, even Brian Taylor could put a 100 through the sticks in a year. You just needed to keep an eye on the count and make sure you went to the right game.
But no pitch invasion has come close to matching the day when ‘Plugger’ kicked goal number 1300. I’ve never participated in a pitch invasion and I’m too far from Australia to think I’ll be at the SCG live if Buddy gets to 1000.
I watched this one on the TV with intense jealousy. This was the pitch invasion to end all pitch invasions. I wanted nothing more than to say I was there for that. A couple of my friends did. They swear going to a Swans match has never been the same since.
The AFL recently uploaded a better definition version on YouTube. Watch it. Relive it. Do what you can to be there when Buddy kicks 1000. We won’t be seeing this stuff ever again.
2. Cathy Freeman wins the 400m in Sydney
Stacks and stacks of seriously good Olympic moments at the Sydney games. People who were at the swimming on night one never ever stop talking about Ian Thorpe winning and then the men taking the relay gold – and for good reason.
For Cathy’s night though, that was bigger. And everyone talks like they were there.
I was. As in, I actually was there – not one of the 5.4 million people and counting who claim they were! In the dozens of times I’ve gone back to Stadium Australia, I find a way to drop that into conversation. Everyone does. I can still remember the seat I was in.
The amount of times I see this make a top-three sporting moments list where people talk about how they wish they could have been there and knowing I was… I love it.
1. Socceroos beat Uruguay
For a sport that is not the primary sport to follow for many Australians, it is staggering how often the Socceroos make the top of a list. No exceptions here.
I saw Cathy Freeman win the 400m but I’d trade that away in a heartbeat to have been at this night. That night was good, but it didn’t have the spontaneous roar that the football had. It didn’t have the (in hindsight poor form) crowd booing the snot out of the Uruguayan anthem. It didn’t have the stomach-twisting, kidney-killing tension of a shootout.
We all know the story, we all know where we were, but our anecdotes pale in comparison to anyone who was there.
The tension and then the absolute joy. An unrivalled moment in Australian sport. A perfect evening.
Mick Jeffrey
Roar Rookie
I can tell you where I was for all except numbers 10 and 4 (asleep on both counts, yes I slept through an NRL GF thanks to being at work that day until mid afternoon and not sleeping the night before). (9) when that fight was on I had just finished the Gold Coast Marathon and even had visions of doing both (the expense of fight tickets, a 4:55 train trip up north and a slow marathon time somewhere in the 5:30 bracket put paid to that). The pub at Southport tram stop would usually be packed with runner's but fight fans made it chockers that afternoon. (8/7) watching from my room at the hostel I was staying at before going to work that Monday. (6) sitting at my late Grandmother's house in Mill Park having a Curry Hot Pot casserole with one ear tuned into Aggers and Skull on ABC Radio not quite going nuts but capturing it all. At least Richard Dawson would be remembered forever. (5) for the first three quarters, running a half marathon on the streets of Wynnum, although truth be told I would probably be too nervous to watch given the past preliminary final history (too young for 85, didn't watch 92, still can't watch 97 after HT, sat stunned watching 98 in the shed before going to the local footy club presentation, worked through 2008, sat with hands in head on the old man's couch for the delayed reply in 2009, teared up in the Southern Stand in 2010). Last quarter was glued to the phone wandering to Wynnum train station trying not to do something stupid, then once on said platform was jumping for joy as the train to the city to take some to Riverfire and others to Fortitude Valley. (3) was in the same shed as the 1998 prelim just taking it in more than anything (1) upstairs in my Uni dorm room trying not to make excessive noise and praying the Singapore Army would not set off the fire alarm as they did about 5 times in the one night not long before this. Almost had my head hit the ceiling fan upon the winning penalty. I also remember watching a replay of the second leg of 93 in Argentina from my bed the night of (SBS was still 6 years away in CQ), and still can see that Alex Tobin errant boot lobbing the ball over Robert Zabica and in for the dagger. Don't mention 1997, and I only saw the first leg of 2001 (Muscat penalty won by Paul Agostino, unlikely combination I know). (2) Glued to that from the bedroom, like I was for many of the events. I wonder if anyone else would dare emulate the outfit? Probably also the most honest commentary Raelene Boyle ever gave, when after Bruce finished gushing over Cathy she added "what a relief".
Mantis
Roar Guru
I had tickets to Socceroos Uruguay with my dad and brother. I was in year 11 and lived at the time about half an hour outside of Canberra and had a practice hsc exam the next day. Mum put her foot down and wouldn’t let me go. I watched that game at home on my own and was in tears at the end - partly because of the result and partly because I knew I’d missed out on the most amazing night of sport I ever had the opportunity to be a part of. My dad and my brother still give me stick about it, and mum, even though she knows in hindsight she did the wrong thing, still is adamant I had to do the exam that would have absolutely no bearing on my life.
clipper
Roar Rookie
Remarkably, Mark Edmonson was the last guy to win in '76 and still holds the record for the lowest ever ranked player (at 212) to win a grand slam. The women are only marginally better in 1977, although Goolagong was one of the stars.
The Dom is good
Roar Rookie
i'm glad i wasn't at the Barry Hall v Paul Gallen boxing fight. Hall back peddled all night and threw a left jab a meter away from his opponent. Hall's MO was hitting someone when they weren't looking. A bit different to being confronted with someone standing directly in front who wants to fight isn't it Hall!
Nick
Roar Guru
I wouldn't have. That was somewhat embarrassing.
Nick
Roar Guru
For example, basically every cricket player in the infamous Australia v India test at the SCG in 2008. Ricky Ponting in particular who was a complete thug.
WCE
Roar Rookie
Horn v's Zerafa - wish i was there. round 9 the hornet was totally exhausted and looked like he was ready to drop , then an overhand right smack on the button of Zefara changed the fight. i cant recall seeing 2 fighters covered in more blood in a fight anywhere - well done Hornet!
AD
Guest
How could a list like this not include Steven Bradbury winning Australia's first winter olympic gold medal?! I'd have rather been there for at than anything in this list!
Micko
Roar Rookie
That’s because they’re exclusively kiwi gripes Dave. He also didn’t mention appalling kiwi hometown umpiring which left the Windies players ropeable…and also handed out the only Test series wins inflicted on the West Indies in the 80’s! :shocked:
Matches
Roar Rookie
Yup Dave. Cricket provides far too many moments that stay with you for the wrong reasons. Steve Waugh's two "catches" where he picked up the ball from under himself & claimed them. Srikanth didn't believe him & neither did the umpire. Brian Lara took his word. (All class, but...). Steve Smith getting caught getting instructions for reviews (when the umpire heard Handscomb say "Just look up there"). JL's 'creaky bat' excuse for being given not-out when everyone heard the nick. Years later I bet they would like their time over to do things differently.
justin
Roar Rookie
any trip to the carribean :)
Anthony Anlezark
Roar Rookie
In my opinion 2015 > 2016, 2016 was probably a better game overall but nothing compares to the twists and turns of that last 5 minutes of game time in 2015, it was Rugby League theatre, watching Feldt score in the corner was unforgettable, took a few seconds for my brain to process what I had just seen, the noise in the crowd as he put it down it was almost like an explosion in the ground, I had entertained the idea of selling my ticket in the week leading in to the game, would have lived to regret it for the rest of my life had I followed through, the best live sporting event I'd ever been to till last year's World Cup Final at Lord's.
JGK
Roar Guru
Yep (although for me I was there live!). Whenever I hear anyone talk about the Poo and his lack of ticker and effort, I laugh. That Davis Cup win was seriously underrated although it was easy to get lost in the Golden Year of Australian Sport that was 1999.
justin
Roar Rookie
that effort by poo is the most underrated moment in the history of aust sport... the crowd were screaming every point.... just remarkable but not known bc it was on at 2 in the morning
Geoff Parkes
Expert
Nice list, moose. I'd definitely be putting Keiran Perkins in there, though. That was a pretty special happening.
RT
Roar Rookie
If you read the opening 3 paragraphs, you will see this was never intended to be a best of all time Australian sporting events.
peterj
Guest
You mean Rafter? In 2001?
Seymorebutts
Guest
Jeff Harding beating Dennis Andreis to win the world light heavyweight title? Jeff Fenech ..3 belts in 3 different weight groups. No mention of him?? Mick Doohan winning FOUR moto GP world titles... Wayne Gardner becoming the first Ozzie man to do it? Beating the British Lions for the first and ONLY time in 2001... Wallabies winning in New Zealand for the first time in 1986.. Wallabies winning the Grand Slam in 1984 ... Undefeated Kangaroos tours of the UK in 1986, ditto cricket team in 1989 Winning the 1983 Davis cup when we didnt have a single player in the top 50... Western Australia winning the first State of Origin game of any code back in 1977. West Coast Eagles being the first football team to win the national title from outside the big cities of Melbourne or Sydney?? The Centenary test of 1977.. had so many twists and turns and heroic performances. We won by exactly the same margin as we did in 1877.. no mention of that? World Series cricket changed sport forever.. no mention... Kingston Town... no mention..Kiwi coming from dead last at the final turn to win the Melbourne cup in 83? Bondy's Americas cup win.. first non American to win it in 150 years or so??? I could go on.. Looks like this is another of the ''nothing existed before I was born so I wont include it best of all time Australian sporting events''
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
Gee, l hope no-one believed that.
JGK
Roar Guru
You might be confusing the "100 a couple of days before" with the 2001 series against the Windies. His last SCG ton was 2003 Ashes but he didn't score a ton at the MCG that series (in fact, he had that very weird innings where he edged one early and no one appealed and then got out off a no ball which he didn't here so walked most of the way to the boundary. He actually got out soon after (apparently he had a migraine).